Table: Average calf prices fall last week but firmer trade this week
Average calf prices for the week ending Sunday, March 1, have substantially increased when compared to this time last year, but have declined when compared to the average prices from the previous week.
Larger numbers of calves are coming available and anecdotal evidence would suggest farmers are turning out slightly older, stronger calves for sale at marts.
Several mart managers noted limited exporter activity at mart sales last week but a rise in activity this week (Monday, March 2) - helping to firm the prices being paid for calves.
A total of 2,500 calves have been exported in the first eight weeks of 2026, almost 5,600 head below the 8,100 calves exported in the same time period of 2025.
ICBF data on calf prices
In the week ending Sunday, March 1, the average price paid for Friesian bull calves was €245, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) calf price database.
Friesian bulls from 3-6 weeks-of-age averaged €272/head.
The table below details the ICBF calf price data for Angus-sired calves for the week ending Sunday, March 1:
| Sire Breed | Sex | Age range | Number of Calves | Average Age (days) | Average Price (€) | Number with Recorded Weight | Average Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus | M | <21 days | 745 | 17 | €443 | 498 | 55kg |
| 21-42 days | 1,367 | 26 | €504 | 913 | 62kg | ||
| F | <21 days | 700 | 17 | €360 | 440 | 53kg | |
| 21-42 days | 1,432 | 27 | €403 | 918 | 58kg |
Belgian Blue bull calves under three weeks-of-age averaged €482/head and heifers averaged €430/head.
Charolais-sired bull calves of the same age averaged €556/head and the heifers averaged €467/head.
The table below details the ICBF calf price data for Hereford-sired calves for the week ending Sunday, March 1:
| Sire Breed | Sex | Age range | Number of calves | Average age (days) | Average price | Number with recorded weight | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hereford | M | <21 days | 381 | 17 | €477 | 222 | 58kg |
| 21-42 days | 506 | 26 | €541 | 268 | 64kg | ||
| F | <21 days | 309 | 17 | €396 | 155 | 57kg | |
| 21-42 days | 508 | 26 | €431 | 249 | 61kg |
Limousin-sired bull calves under three weeks-of-age averaged €503/head and the heifers averaged €412/head.
Gortatlea Mart
There were almost 1,000 calves on offer in Gortatlea Mart, Co. Kerry, on Monday, March 2.
Mart manager Maurice Brosnan told Agriland: "Some of the strong Friesian bull calves were up €100/head in the week because there was no exporters [buying calves in the sale] the week before", he said.
"It goes to show the good of a help they are to the trade to have the exporters operating."
He said the 4-5 week-old stronger calves were making €400/head "and more in cases" while the lighter shipping calf was making €300/head plus.
According to Brosnan, as high as 50% of the calves in the sale were bought by exporters and he also noted that there are plenty of new farmer customers buying calves as well as plenty of return farmer customers.
Brosnan said: "It's gone from a nightmare to a dream to sell calves.
"It used to be torture; there was days a few years ago, I could of had 200-300 calves with no boat going and have them all in the yard trying to get homes for them."
